Eye On China: Seven Advanced Landing Grounds In The Northeast, Abandoned Since 1962, Now Operational 

Seven Advanced Landing Grounds (ALGs) in India’s Northeast, abandoned after the 1962 war with China, are now operational on the Indo-China border, Deccan Herald has reported.

As per the report, these upgraded ALGs are located in Tuting, Mechuka, Along, Wallong, Ziro, Tawang and Pasighat. Work on refurbishing another ALG in Vijaynagar is currently on-going.

Either abandoned or destroyed during the 1962 war, the ALGs had been lying ignored for a long time. However, in 2009, the Ministry of Defence had announced that the Indian Air Force (IAF) is upgrading them in order to boost the operational capability across the border in the Northeast. The work started in 2013 and has now been completed.

With the operationalisation of these ALGs, IAF will now be able to operate Sukhoi-30 fighter aircraft, transport aircraft AN-32, helicopters and C-130J Super Hercules among other new inductees to force’s fleet.

This has been a part of the defence ministry’s plan to give a push to the required infrastructure across the border with China.